Hinton man allegedly fired gun at trooper

HINTON, W.Va. -- A Hinton man allegedly fired multiple shots at a West Virginia State Police trooper before being hit with return fire on Wednesday.

Cpl. J.D. Cooper of the Hinton Detachment responded to reports of a man firing a gun near River Road in Raleigh County. The man was identified as Gary Richmond, 63, of Hinton.

When Cooper knocked on Richmond's door, Richmond could be seen inside with a revolver in his hand, according to a news release issued by State Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Baylous.

Cooper ordered Richmond to drop the firearm, but Richmond began firing at the trooper, according to the release. Richmond went back inside the house for a moment before allegedly coming out to fire at Cooper again. The bullets narrowly missed Cooper, who shot Richmond. Richmond was flown to CAMC General Hospital, where he is being treated for gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.

Troopers will issue warrants for attempted murder and wanton endangerment when Richmond is released, according to the news release.

"Looking back over my nearly 40 years in law enforcement, I can't recall a time when there was as much violent behavior directed specifically at police officers," State Police Colonel C.R. "Jay" Smithers said in the release. "It almost seems that on a daily basis, Troopers are confronted with angry folks who have absolutely no regard for the welfare of others.

"While these types of attitudes may have been historically prevalent in other parts of the country, for the most part, they did not exist here in West Virginia."